KEVIN DURANT is “absolutely right” in his comments about LeBron James - and Kyrie Irving proves his point.

Golden State Warriors forward Durant suggested that major stars do not want to share the court with LeBron anymore because of the media circus that surrounds the superstar and the “toxic” environment that then creates.

The back-to-back Finals MVP also told Bleacher Report: "It depends on what kind of player you are. If you're Kyle Korver, then it makes sense. Because Kyle in Atlanta was the bulk of the offense, and he's not a No 1 option at all, not even close. So his talents benefit more from a guy who can pass and penetrate and get him open.

"If you're a younger player like a Kawhi Leonard, trying to pair him with LeBron doesn't really make sense. Kawhi enjoys having the ball in his hands, controlling the offense, dictating the tempo with his post-ups; it's how he plays the game. A lot of young players are developing that skill. They don't need another guy."

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That claim comes with the Los Angeles Lakers linked with Leonard, Durant himself and Anthony Davis in free agency and trade moves as they seek to add a second All-NBA calibre player alongside LeBron to help their championship chase.

Many have suggested that Durant’s words suggest he himself does not want to link up with LeBron in California for precisely the same reason - he wants to lead his own team, perhaps such as the New York Knicks.

And Smith thinks Leonard and Davis would be ill-suited to donning the iconic purple and gold jersey alongside LeBron because he would dominate the play - which is what both of the pair like to do for the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans currently.

He used Kyrie Irving’s departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics nearly 18 months ago as the perfect example of a major star being sick of playing second fiddle to the four-time MVP.

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“As great as LeBron is, part of what makes them great is their unwillingness to accept the fact that he’s the greatest when they feel they are coming, they are accomplished and they are elite of their own right.

“That’s why Kyrie Irving decided to take his talents to Boston. It would be one thing to say: ‘I’m better than LeBron.’

“He never said that or implied that, he said: ‘I’m great too and I’m great enough where I should not have to sit back and have my future contingent on decisions made by LeBron not just off the court but on it. I can’t grow and flourish into the player I want to be and believe I can be.’

“Great, great players have the license and latitude to say that. Kevin Durant is one of those players, even though he may not have been talking about himself.”